Academy apologizes for Asian jokes during Oscars

The Motion Picture Academy apologized on Tuesday for jokes made about Asians during last month's Oscars ceremony.

"The Academy appreciates the concerns stated, and regrets that any aspect of the Oscar telecast was offensive," says an Academy spokesperson. "We are committed to doing our best to ensure that material in future shows be more culturally sensitive."

Dozens of Academy members issued a letter to Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs and CEO Dawn Hudson earlier in the day expressing their concerns.

"We are writing as Academy members of Asian descent to express our complete surprise and disappointment with the targeting of Asians at the 88th Oscars telecast and its perpetuation of racist stereotypes," said the March 9 letter signed by Ang Lee, George Takei, Sandra Oh and 22 other Academy members, former Oscar winners and nominees.

During the controversial segment from the February awards show, host Chris Rockbrought three Asian children carrying briefcases onto the stage, posing as "bankers" from finance firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Inside the 2016 Oscars:

42PHOTOS

Inside the 2016 Oscars

See Gallery

Academy apologizes for Asian jokes during Oscars

Host Chris Rock speaks at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Brie Larson, from left, Cate Blanchett, and Kate Winslet appear in the audience at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Emily Blunt, left, and Charlize Theron present the award for best original screenplay at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Christian Bale, left, congratulates Adam McKay as he walks on stage to accept the award for best adapted screenplay for âThe Big Shortâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Sarah Silverman speaks at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 28: David White (L) and Mark A. Mangini win the Best Sound Editing award for 'Mad Max: Fury Road' onstage during the 88th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

THE OSCARS(r) - THEATRE - The 88th Oscars, held on Sunday, February 28, at the Dolby Theatre(r) at Hollywood & Highland Center(r) in Hollywood, are televised live by the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST. (Photo by Adam Taylor/ABC via Getty Images)
CATE BLANCHETT

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Mark A. Mangini (L) and David White accept the Best Sound Editing award for 'Mad Max: Fury Road' onstage during the 88th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Chadwick Boseman, left, and Chris Evans present the award for best sound editing at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Priyanka Chopra, left, and Liev Schreiber present the award for best film editing at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Rachel McAdams, left, and Michael B. Jordan present the award for best cinematography at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Elka Wardega, from left, Lesley Vanderwalt, and Damian Martin accept the award for best makeup and hairstyling for âMad Max: Fury Roadâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Alicia Vikander accepts the award for best actress in a supporting role for âThe Danish Girlâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Tina Fey, left, and Steve Carell present the award for best production design at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Cate Blanchett presents the award for best costume design at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

J.K. Simmons, right, presents Alicia Vikander with the award for best actress in a supporting role for âThe Danish Girlâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Maria Fahl Vikander, left, congratulates Alicia Vikander after she won the award for best actress in a supporting role for âThe Danish Girlâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Kerry Washington, left, and Henry Cavill speak at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Charlize Theron, left, and Cate Blanchett appear in the audience at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Jason Segel, left, and Olivia Munn speak at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Droid characters from "Star Wars", BB-8, from left, R2-D2, and C-3PO speak at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Maria Fahl Vikander, from left, Harvey Weinstein, and Lady Gaga appear in the audience at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Margot Robbie, left, and Jared Leto present the award for best makeup and hairstyling at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Jenny Beavan accepts the award for best costume design for âMad Max: Fury Roadâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Musicians Verdine White (L) and Philip Bailey (R) of Earth, Wind & Fire and Beck attend the 24th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar Viewing Party at The City of West Hollywood Park on February 28, 2016 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for EJAF)

Louis C.K., left, presents Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy with the award for best documentary short for âA Girl in the River: The Price of Forgivenessâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Steven Spielberg, left, congratulates Mark Rylance after he won the award for best actor in a supporting role for âBridge of Spiesâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

The Weeknd performs his nominated song "Earned It" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs speaks onstage during the 88th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Children participate in a skit at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Mark Rylance accepts the award for best actor in a supporting role for âBridge of Spiesâ at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

"They sent us their most dedicated, accurate and hard-working representatives," he said. "Please welcome Ming Zhu, Bao Ling and David Moskowitz."

"If anybody's upset about that joke, just tweet about it on your phone that was also made by these kids," Rock added.

The letter demanded a response from the Academy, saying, "We look forward to hearing from you about this matter and about the concrete steps to ensure that all people are portrayed with dignity and respect."

Read the full letter below. The Academy did not immediately respond to TheWrap's request for comment.

Dear Cheryl, Dawn, Members of the Board of Governors, Reginald and David:

We are writing as Academy members of Asian descent to express our complete surprise and disappointment with the targeting of Asians at the 88th Oscars telecast and its perpetuation of racist stereotypes.

In light of criticism over #OscarsSoWhite, we were hopeful that the telecast would provide the Academy a way forward and the chance to present a spectacular example of inclusion and diversity. Instead, the Oscars show was marred by a tone-deaf approach to its portrayal of Asians.

We'd like to know how such tasteless and offensive skits could have happened and what process you have in place to preclude such unconscious or outright bias and racism toward any group in future Oscars telecasts.

We look forward to hearing from you about this matter and about the concrete steps to ensure that all people are portrayed with dignity and respect.

We are proud that the Oscars reach several hundred million people around the world of whom 60% are Asians and potential moviegoers.